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Bologna came out on top in Sunday's relegation encounter at the Dall'Ara, as they condemned Palermo to a crushing 3-0 defeat to pile fresh pressure on Gian Piero Gasperini.

The Rossoblu went into the match on the back of five defeats in their last six games, while the visitors seemed to have turned a corner following victory over Sampdoria in the previous round of fixtures.

Still, it was Alberto Gilardino who opened the scoring for the home side on 22 minutes. The striker teed himself up on the edge of the box and fired a half-volley past Samir Ujkani.

On the cusp of half-time, Massimo Donati's blatant handball in the area gave Manolo Gabbiadini the chance to double Bologna's lead, which he duly took, sending the former Novara goalkeeper the wrong way.

Palermo's bad day at the office only got worse just seconds after the restart - Ujkani's reckless foul on Gilardino warranted a red card. Alessandro Diamanti stepped up and rifled the spot kick home.

The result leaves Palermo hovering dangerously over the relegation zone in 16th place, but Bologna climb out of the bottom three and into 15th.

CATANIA

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CHIEVO

Sergio Almiron proved to be the catalyst for Catania on Sunday, with the midfielder marking his return from injury by scoring both of his side's goals in a 2-1 success over Chievo.

However, the early signs were not promising for the high-flying Sicilians. Alejandro Gomez was guilty of missing chances in the first half while Gonzalo Bergessio and Marco Biagianti were both forced off the field of play.

Yet it did not stop Almiron from breaking his duck on 51 minutes, arriving in the box to head in a corner. The Argentine then doubled his tally for the afternoon with a fine curling finish from distance to seal all three points.

There was still time for a late consolation as, in the third minute of injury time, Marco Andreolli, who has courted interest from Inter recently, leapt highest in the box to nod home a free kick. Catania move up to sixth, but Chievo drop to 18th place.

FIORENTINA

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ATALANTA

Fiorentina's continue to go from strength to strength under the guidance of Vincenzo Montella after they trounced Atalanta 4-1 at the Artemio Franchi on Sunday.

Both sides have been acclaimed for their impressive starts to the season and claimed the scalp of either Milan team last weekend, but Gonzalo Rodriguez's fifth-minute volley from a free kick proved the difference early on.

However, on the half-hour mark, German Denis' strike deflected into the path of Giacomo Bonaventura, who capitalised on Ezequiel Schelotto's diversion to level the contest.

Yet a matter of minutes later, Alberto Aquilani maintained his rich vein of goalscoring form by bending home a delightful free kick to restore his side's advantage.

Luca Cigarini soon received his marching orders for a professional foul into the back of Juan Cuadrado, and the Orobici were soon punished for going a man down shortly after the restart as Aquilani flicked a corner past Andrea Consigli.

Luca Toni then wrapped up an emphatic victory for Fiorentina with a looping header from a cross to send the hosts into third place. Atalanta, meanwhile, fall to seventh in the standings.

SIENA

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PESCARA

Pescara said farewell to coach Giovanni Stroppa on Sunday after their capitulation in the 1-0 defeat to Siena proved the final straw for the former Italy midfielder.

The visitors' mauling at the hands of Juventus could have been enough for most bosses to consider their future, but after witnessing two red cards and a missed penalty a week later, Stroppa had had enough.

The Tuscans found the winner just 21 minutes into the action via Francesco Valiani, who latched onto a long diagonal pass and hit a sweet half-volley past Mattia Perin from a tight angle.

Not long after, the Delfini appeared to have been handed a reprieve as Ante Vukusic was dragged down in the box by Matteo Contini. Sadly for the young Serb, his penalty was then parried clear by Gianluca Pegolo.

To rub yet more salt in the wounds, Marco Capuano and Damiano Zenon, two of their most trusted lieutenants, were sent off in the dying embers of the match. Pescara fall to 17th, but Siena climb off the bottom.

UDINESE

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PARMA

Parma had RaffaelePalladinoto thank for a 2-2 draw with Udinese on Sunday, with the former Italy international netting a late equaliser after coming off the bench.

Unsurprisingly, it was Antonio Di Natale who opened the Zebrette's account with a delicate lob over Antonio Mirante. The forward did not lose his composure as he approached the visiting team's goal before picking his spot.

However, seconds after the interval, Amauri's header was anticipated by Marco Marchionni, and the former Juventus winger squeezed between two players before powering the finish home.

But sooner than that, Roberto Pereyra was on hand to bury the rebound from Dusan Basta's saved effort. It seemed Udinese would close the game out, but Palladino, in stoppage time, hit a lob of his own over Zeljko Brkic.

Francesco Guidolin's men languish in 11th place, meaning they must settle for mid-table mediocrity. Parma, similarly, find themselves in ninth.

SAMPDORIA

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GENOA

A thrilling Ligurian derby was witnessed on Sunday evening, as Sampdoria earned bragging rights at the Marassi to down Genoa 3-1 and pile more misery on Luigi Del Neri.

Both coaches went into the inter-city clash on the back of increasing supporter dissatisfaction, with Ciro Ferrara leading the Blucerchiati to seven straight defeats, while his opposite number's brand of football has come under scrutiny.

Andrea Poli broke the deadlock inside 16 minutes, driving the ball goal-bound with Sebastien Frey well-beaten, before Cesare Bovo's own goal doubled the hosts' advantage towards the end of the first half.

However, Genoa appeared to have fought their way back into contention through Ciro Immobile, who netted inside the area to make for a nail-biting end to the match, but Mauro Icardiprofited from Fernando Tissone's pass to secure the win late on.

The 19-year-old forward was set to be replaced not long before his goal, making his finish all the more inspired. Sampdoria move to 14th place in Serie A but Genoa are now rock-bottom.